The Oyo State Police Command has arrested a suspected kidnapper during an operation to rescue a kidnapped man and stop the payment of a N10 million ransom in Atiba Local Government Area of the state.
The police said the suspect was arrested during a gun battle between security operatives and members of a kidnap gang at Otefon village forest in Oyo town.
The operation, which involved officers of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad and members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, led to the rescue of the victim, identified as Alhaji Bagudu, who was abducted from his residence last week.
Police authorities said the victim was released unharmed before security operatives moved in to arrest the kidnappers during the ransom collection.
The Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Thursday.
According to him, the police received intelligence reports in the early hours of Wednesday that suspected kidnappers had gathered inside the Otefon forest to collect ransom money from relatives of the victim.
“On Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at about 1am, credible intelligence was received through operatives of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Oyo, indicating that a gang of suspected kidnappers had assembled at Otefon Village Forest to collect ransom from relatives of a kidnapped victim,” Ayanlade said.
Following the intelligence report, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Olugbemiga Abimbola, reportedly ordered a joint operation involving the Anti-Kidnapping Squad operating within the Oyo/Iseyin axis and local vigilante members.
The police spokesman explained that the operation was carefully planned to ensure the safety of the victim before any confrontation with the kidnappers.
“Upon receipt of the intelligence, the Commissioner of Police immediately directed operatives attached to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad, Oyo/Iseyin axis, in collaboration with members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, to move into the area with a view to rescuing the victim and apprehending the criminal elements responsible for the abduction,” he added.
According to preliminary investigations by the police, the victim was kidnapped on May 9, 2026, after armed men invaded his residence in Ilowa village, Atiba Local Government Area.
The kidnappers were said to have taken him deep into the Otefon forest and later contacted his family, demanding N10 million before he could regain his freedom.
Kidnapping for ransom has become a major security concern in several parts of Nigeria in recent years. Criminal gangs often target wealthy individuals, farmers, traders, students and travelers, especially in rural communities and along highways.
Although kidnapping was once more common in parts of the Niger Delta and the North-West, security experts say the crime has gradually spread to many states across the country, including states in the South-West.
Communities in Oyo State and neighbouring areas have in recent years reported cases of abduction, armed robbery and attacks linked to criminal groups operating inside forests and remote settlements.
The Otefon forest area where the operation took place is believed to be one of the routes sometimes used by criminals to hide victims and evade security agents.
Ayanlade said security operatives first focused on ensuring the victim was safely released before launching an offensive against the gang.
“In a carefully coordinated joint operation, security operatives strategically prioritised the safe release of the victim before making tactical moves against the suspected kidnappers,” he stated.
He said after confirming that the victim had regained his freedom without injury, the security team moved toward the location where the kidnappers had assembled to collect the ransom.
According to the police spokesman, intelligence gathering and technological support helped security operatives identify the exact location of the suspects inside the forest.
“Leveraging robust intelligence gathering and technological tools, security operatives successfully identified the exact location where the suspected kidnappers had assembled and strategically laid an ambush for the criminal elements,” Ayanlade said.
The situation later turned violent when the kidnappers allegedly opened fire after sighting security operatives approaching the scene.
“Upon the arrival of the individual conveying the alleged ransom and subsequent confirmation of the victim’s safe release, operatives from the police and other collaborating security outfits approached the scene.
“However, on sighting the advancing security team, the suspected kidnappers opened fire, resulting in a gun duel,” he added.
The police said the suspects fled into the forest during the exchange of gunfire, with some believed to have suffered gunshot injuries.
One suspect, identified as Mohammed Sanni, was arrested during the operation.
Security operatives also recovered a motorcycle allegedly used by the gang for their operations and movement within the area.
According to the police, the motorcycle recovered from the suspects was a Hajoue motorcycle with registration number TUT 824 TY.
Other items recovered at the scene included a mobile phone, a cap and a pair of slippers believed to belong to members of the gang.
The police said the recovered items are currently undergoing forensic examination as part of ongoing investigations.
Ayanlade disclosed that the suspect already in custody had made useful confessional statements regarding his role in the kidnapping operation and the activities of the criminal gang.
“The suspect is currently in custody and has made useful confessional statements regarding his role and involvement within the criminal syndicate,” he said.
The police added that efforts were ongoing to track down the fleeing gang members and bring them to justice.
Security agencies in Nigeria have continued to encourage cooperation between residents and law enforcement authorities in the fight against kidnapping and other violent crimes.
In many rural communities, vigilante groups now work alongside the police and other security agencies to gather intelligence and monitor suspicious movements.
The Oyo State Police Command appealed to residents to continue providing timely and credible information that could help ongoing investigations and security operations.
“The command urges members of the public with credible and timely information capable of aiding ongoing investigations or leading to the arrest of the fleeing suspects to promptly report such to the nearest police station or any security post closest to them,” the police spokesman said.
Residents of communities around Atiba Local Government Area have expressed concern over rising insecurity and have called for increased security patrols, especially around forest areas and isolated villages.
Many community leaders also want stronger collaboration between security agencies and local residents to prevent future attacks and protect lives and property